d still, making a trumpet of his hands. "Ship ahoy!" he
called.

The next instant seven girls came wriggling and scrambling down from the
various branches. "Oh! Daddy," Patricia cried joyously, "we're having
the jolliest time--we're pirates! I'm captain--

"'My name is Captain Kidd,
And most wickedly I did,
As I sailed, as I sailed!'"

"And, according to report, before you sailed, young lady. Suppose you
make explanation regarding certain late extremely piratical
proceedings."

"You mean about the supper, Daddy? You see, we didn't feel very
partified--at least, we thought we didn't look exactly--"

As she hesitated, the doctor, glancing from one to another of the seven,
nodded comprehendingly. "I quite agree with you, Pat; you do not look
very--partified."

They were so dusty, so disheveled; all but Patricia had shoes
on--Custard had made off with both of Susy's, and Patricia had most
willingly offered hers--the opportunity to go barefoot was too good to
be lost; Nell had only one stocking, Kitty none at all, Ruth was wearing
Patricia's, Custard had certainly made the most of his chance to carry
off things that afternoon.

"But we've had a be-au-ti-ful time," Susy said, slipping a hand into
the doctor's. She quite forgot that he was a comparative stranger,
remembering only that he was Patricia's father--Patricia, who had
invited her to this most wonderful of parties, where one had been so
busy having fun that there had been no time for feeling shy and strange.

Dr. Kirby smiled down at the little guest of honor. "Upon my word, I
believe you have," he said.

"Aunt Julia says," Patricia possessed herself of his other hand, "that
to feel sure that one's guests have honestly enjoyed themselves is to
know that one's party has been a success. So I reckon mine's been a
perfectly tremendous success."

"Suppose you come up to the house--all of you--and see if you can
reassure Aunt Julia and--Sarah," the doctor suggested.

Patricia sighed. "I--I sort of wish Aunt Julia--looked at things the way
we do, Daddy."

They went on up to the house. On the back steps, Miss Kirby was waiting;
in the kitchen doorway stood Sarah.

"Patricia Kirby!" Aunt Julia exclaimed. "Well of all the--"

"Miss P'tricia," Sarah broke in wrathfully, "where's that cherry pie I
done made for Marse Doctor's supper?"

Patricia slowly drew up her uppermost apron. "It's here--most of it;
Custard got the rest. I--I stumbled and fell--in